What is That to Thee?

John 21:22 NKJV

22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

Introduction

I. Introduction

Eight Words that can Change Your Life

A question and a command

1. A question and a command

The question: “WHAT IS THAT TO THEE?”

2. The question: “WHAT IS THAT TO THEE?”

The command: “FOLLOW THOU ME”

3. The command: “FOLLOW THOU ME”

A New Chapter in Peter’s Life

B. A New Chapter in Peter’s Life

He had left all to follow Christ

1. He had left all to follow Christ

2. He had denied his Lord three times

He had denied his Lord three times

3. After the resurrection: Fishing … the setting of this scene:

After the resurrection: Fishing … the setting of this scene:

a. Questions: “Do you love me more than these?”

Questions: “Do you love me more than these?”

b. The Lord’s revelation of Peter’s ministry and death

The Lord’s revelation of Peter’s ministry and death

c. What shall this man do? What is that to thee?

What shall this man do? What is that to thee?

Body

Consider the Lord’s Question if you are allowing another person to keep you from Trusting and Serving the Lord

What is that to thee?

This may be a sensitive area:

2. Now we are in a sensitive area:

So many look at the failures of others

a. So many look at the failures of others

b. So many hide behind the hypocrites

So many hide behind the hypocrites

3. Remember: you are not accountable for the sins of others

Remember: you are not accountable for the sins of others

a. Every one of us shall give an account of himself ()

Every one of us shall give an account of himself ()

Romans 14:12 NKJV

12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

b. No excuses when we stand before God

No excuses when we stand before God - What about You?

The person closest to you may be keeping you from Christ

4. The person closest to you may be keeping you from Christ

a. Maybe it is the failure of your wife or husband

Maybe it is the failure of your wife or husband, or parent

So many people have left the church, or avoided the church, becasue someone close to them was a Christian who fell short -

Maybe it is the failure of your boss or neighbor

b. Maybe it is the failure of your boss or neighbor

Look past the failures of others … to Christ

5. Look past the failures of others … to Christ

What if others fail? What is that to thee?

6. What if others fail? What is that to thee?

Consider the Lord’s Question if you have been hurt by another Christian

How cruel some Christians can be!

And how self-righteous they can often seem

2. And how self-righteous they can often seem

a. Many used to serve fervently who have been hurt by others

Many people used to serve fervently who have been hurt by others, and now they don’t

So many Christians are avoiding the church because they have been hurt by someone there

The cause of Christ harmed by careless tongues

b. The cause of Christ harmed by careless tongues

And to be honest, it may have been my words

We are commanded to reprove, rebuke, and exhort, but in doing so, we may hurt feeling, especially if we are not led by the spirit

Bitterness has replaced blessing for many wounded believers

c. Bitterness has replaced blessing for many wounded believers

Casualties of caustic remarks and gossip groups are everywhere

d. Casualties of caustic remarks and gossip groups are everywhere

3. See how gossip distorted the situation in this text

See how gossip distorted the situation in this text

Has your Christian life or service been injured by thoughtless ones?

4. Has your Christian life or service been injured by thoughtless ones?

Have others failed you?

5. Have others failed you?

What is that to thee?

6. What is that to thee?

Consider the Lord’s Question if you Envy another’s Talents or Position

“Lord, what shall this man do?”

Peter wants to compare his work to that of John

2. Peter wants to compare his work to that of John

a. “I am going to feed the sheep. What will John do?”

“I am going to feed the sheep. What will John do?”

“I am going to die as a martyr. What will John do?”

b. “I am going to die as a martyr. What will John do?”

If I have to mop the floors, what is pastor doing?

If I am washing the dishes, or cleaning the bathrooms, what are the others doing?

(CLS, experience with volunteers)

Have you been losing God’s best because you are envious?

3. Have you been losing God’s best because you are envious?

a. Another’s position? Talents? Speaking ability?

Another’s position? Talents? Speaking ability?

Another’s success? Money? Attention?

b. Another’s success? Money? Attention?

What is that to thee? Follow thou Me!

4. What is that to thee? Follow thou Me!

5. God often chooses to use those who think they have little to offer

God often chooses to use those who think they have little to offer

He often uses those who, others think, have little to offer

6. He often uses those who, others think, have little to offer

And He will certainly use you, if you can forget what anyone else is doing and Follow HIM

Conclusion

Now we have considered this Sensitive Area of Life

Maybe one of these is an area of failure to you

1. Perhaps the area of failure to you

2. It is time to face the Lord’s question: “What is that to Thee?”

It is time to face the Lord’s question: “What is that to Thee?”

It is Time to Heed the Lord’s Command: “FOLLOW THOU ME!”

B. It is Time to Heed the Lord’s Command: “FOLLOW THOU ME!”